Genentech Rituxan Failed Lupus Trial Also Takes Down Ocrelizumab For SLE

Genentech is abandoning development of both its anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies for systemic lupus erythematosus after the failure of Rituxan (rituximab) in the Phase II/III EXPLORER trial cast doubt on the validity of targeting the CD20 antigen on B-cells as an approach to SLE.